WEEKENDER I AROUND TOWN

Volunteers honored for service

From left: Darleen Beals, Johey Crawford, and Lareiva Cooper during the CASA awards at The Pinnacle in Maumee.

THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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THE Court Appointed Special Advocates Courage Awards presented by LaValley, LaValley, Todak & Schaefer Co. L.P.A., The Blade and Buckeye Broadband at the Pinnacle in Maumee celebrated CASA and Citizen Review Board volunteers.

The nearly 250 advocates donated more than 19,000 hours in 2017. CASA serves abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system via trained volunteers who investigate and monitor child abuse cases.

From left: Darleen Beals, Johey Crawford, and Lareiva Cooper during the CASA awards at The Pinnacle in Maumee.

Honorary chairman Marianne Ballas told the 450 attendees that it is important to give back to the community in which you live.

Denise Navarre Cubbon, administrative judge, and Judge Connie Zemmelman presented the awards, hand-blown glass hearts created by CASA youth through the Art Enrichment program at the Toledo Museum of Art.

Honored were:

■ Rising Star Award — Johey Crawford, for dedication in the first two years of service.

■ Power-of-One Award — Darleen Beals for selfless dedication for 10 years of service.

■ Case Worker of the Year Award — Lareiva Cooper, of Lucas County Children Services.

Randy Oostra, president and CEO of ProMedica, was presented with the Robert Z. Kaplan Community Advocate Award for his commitment to the community.

Mr. Oostra talked about why it is important to give back, citing examples from the Good Samaritan and Martin Luther King, Jr. He asked everyone, “What will happen if I don’t do this?” and again stressed the importance to commit to the well being for all.

The more than $25,000 pays for the CASA emancipation specialist.

THE 18th annual Child Abuse and Prevention Center spring luncheon presented by Mercy Health and Designetics Cares raised more than $32,000. Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center, serving the community for more than 40 years, provides free advocacy and education services to the victims of child sexual abuse and victims of domestic violence.

The event, at Inverness Club, was a lovely lunch for the 233 supporters but the focus was on helping others. Emcee Sashem Brey or WTVG-TV, Channel 13, welcomed everyone.

Board President Barbara Dianda-Martin of Mercy Health St. Anne's talked about Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center services. Heartfelt testimonials from client speakers brought tears to many eyes.

A Time’s Up Award was presented to Celia Williamson, founder of the Lucas County Human Trafficking Coalition. The executive director of the Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute at the University of Toledo, Ms. Williamson was honored for her work in providing a voice against social injustice to women, men, people of color, and the LGBT+ community.

MAUMEE Valley Country Day School's 84th annual Smead Luncheon and Alumni Awards at the school was a reunion of alumni who chatted and dined, enjoying being on campus.

Alumni achievement honoree Masahide (Hide) Yasuda (’68) of Japan was set to be the keynote speaker, but she was unable to attend because of a work conflict. That gave honoree Berkley Welles Wellstein ’02 , the young alumni honoree a chance to shine. Ms. Wellstein talked about the Jane B. Wellstein Foundation for families grieving the loss of a newborn.

Also honored were Ron Cowie (’88), alumni service honoree; Becky Ashley Ross (’69), alumni lifetime dedication honoree; and Nancy and Jim Fish, alumni parent dedication honorees.

In the same weekend were reunions for the classes of 1958 and 1969, who cruised the city, making stops to see the revitalized downtown Toledo, the Great Lakes Museum, the Toledo Museum of Art, and have dinner at the Registry. A farewell lunch was held at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club.

THE fifth annual Thank You for Believing Benefit Dance at the Believe Center raised $5,200 to be split between the center and El Corazon de Mexico Ballet Folklorico.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.